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Before driving into a car wash
The vehicle can roll if you proceed according to 
the following steps:
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress brake pedal.
3.Engage transmission position N.
4.Release the parking brake.
5.Switch off the engine.
6.Leave the remote control in the ignition 
lock.
Malfunction
The comfort access function may malfunction 
due to local radio waves. Then open or close the 
vehicle with the buttons on the remote control 
or with a key. To start the engine following this, 
insert the remote control in the ignition lock.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when an attempt is 
made to start the engine: starting the 
engine is not possible. The remote control is 
not in the vehicle or has a malfunction. Take 
along the remote control into the vehicle or 
have it checked. Insert another remote control 
into the ignition lock if necessary.
The warning lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up when the engine is 
running: the remote control is no 
longer in the vehicle. After switching off the 
engine, the engine can only be started again 
within approx. 10 seconds if no door has been 
opened.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up and a message 
appears on the Control Display: 
replace the battery of the remote control.
Replacing battery
The remote control for comfort access contains 
a battery which must be replaced if necessary.
1.Remove integrated key from remote con-
trol, refer to page26.
2.Remove cover.3.Lay in new battery with positive side facing 
upward.
4.Press cover closed.
Dispose of used batteries at a collection 
point or at your BMW Sports Activity 
Vehicle Center.<
Windows
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the windows and keep them in 
your field of vision until they are shut. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the windows and injure them-
selves.<
Opening, closing
>Press switch to resistance point: 
The window continues to open as long as 
you keep the switch pressed.
>Press switch beyond resistance point: 
The window opens automatically. Pressing 
the switch again stops the opening move-
ment.
You can close the windows in the same manner 
by pulling the switch.
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Opening and closing
38 Separate switches for the rear windows are 
located in the rear.
For information on using convenience opera-
tion at the door lock or with the remote control, 
refer to page28 or29.
For information on comfort closing with comfort 
access, refer to page36.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the windows with the 
remote control removed or the ignition 
switched off for approx. 1 minute, as long as 
neither of the front doors has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the closing force rises beyond a predefined 
threshold during closing, the system will stop 
moving the window prior to lowering it again 
slightly.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the window's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
thin objects, and the window would continue 
closing. 
Do not install any accessories in the range of 
movement of the windows, otherwise the pinch 
protection system will be impaired.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
In case of danger from outside or if, for example, 
ice on the window prevents normal closing, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold. The pinch protection system is 
limited and the window opens slightly if the 
closing force exceeds a certain value.
2.Pull the switch beyond the resistance point 
and hold again within approx. 4 seconds. 
The window closes without the pinch pro-
tection system.
Safety switch
With the safety switch, you can prevent the rear 
windows from being opened or closed via the 
switches in the rear passenger area, by chil-
dren, for example. The LED lights up when this 
safety feature is activated.
Always press the safety switch when chil-
dren ride in the rear, otherwise uncon-
trolled closing of the windows could lead to 
injuries.<
BMW X5: panorama glass 
sunroof*
The panorama glass sunroof is ready for opera-
tion with the ignition switched on, refer to 
page59.
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the panorama glass sunroof and 
keep it in your field of vision until it is closed. 
Always take along the remote control when you 
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
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Controls
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Mobility
leave the vehicle, otherwise children could, for 
example, operate the roof and injure them-
selves.<
Raising
Press the switch.
The closed glass sunroof is raised and the slid-
ing visor opens slightly.
Do not use force to close the sliding visor 
with the glass sunroof in its raised posi-
tion, otherwise the mechanism will be dam-
aged.<
Opening, closing
>Slide the switch back to the resistance 
point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open 
together as long as you continue to hold the 
switch in this position.
>Briefly press the switch back beyond the 
resistance point.
The glass sunroof and the sliding visor open 
automatically. Briefly pressing the switch 
stops the motion.
You can close the glass sunroof in a similar 
manner by sliding the switch forward. The slid-
ing visor remains open and can be closed by 
hand.
For information on using convenience opera-
tion with the remote control or at the door lock, 
refer to page28 or29.
For information on convenience closing with 
comfort access, refer to page36.
Automatic opening and closing
Briefly press the switch beyond the resistance 
point.
The following movements are also automatic:
>With the sunroof open, press the switch:
The sunroof is opened all the way.
>With the sunroof raised, briefly press the 
switch in the opening direction: the sunroof 
is opened all the way.
Briefly pressing the switch stops the motion.
Comfort position
In the comfort position, the sunroof is not com-
pletely open; this reduces wind noise in the 
passenger compartment.
Each time the glass sunroof is opened or closed 
all the way, it stops in the comfort position. If 
you wish, you can continue the motion by actu-
ating the switch.
After switching off ignition
You can still operate the roof for approx. 
1 minute, as long as no door has been opened.
Pinch protection system
If the glass sunroof meets with resistance from 
about the middle of the roof opening when clos-
ing or when lowering from the raised position, 
the closing process is interrupted and the glass 
sunroof opens all the way.
Despite the pinch protection system, 
inspect the sunroof's travel path prior to 
closing it, as the safety system might fail to 
detect certain kinds of obstructions, such as 
very thin objects, and the sunroof would con-
tinue closing.<
Closing without pinch protection 
system
When there is danger outside the vehicle, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Slide the switch forward past the resistance 
point and hold it there. The pinch protection 
system is limited and the sunroof opens 
slightly if the closing force exceeds a certain 
value.
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Adjusting
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital con-
tribution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In the 
interaction with the safety belts, the head 
restraints and the airbags, the seat position 
plays an important role in an accident. To 
ensure that the safety systems operate with 
optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the fol-
lowing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page55.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
hold the steering wheel by its rim with hands at 
the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions, to mini-
mize the risk of injuries to your hands and arms 
in the event of airbag deployment. 
No one and nothing is to come between the air-
bags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Make 
sure that the front passenger is sitting correctly 
and does not rest feet or legs on the instrument 
cluster, otherwise leg injuries can occur if the 
front airbag is triggered. 
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the cover of the head airbag, otherwise 
injuries can occur when the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Even if you adhere to all the instructions, inju-
ries resulting from contact with airbags cannot 
be fully excluded, depending on the circum-
stances. The ignition and inflation noise may 
provoke a mild hearing loss in extremely sensi-
tive individuals. This effect is usually only tem-
porary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page98.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of spinal injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint so that its center 
is approx. at ear level. Otherwise there is 
increased danger of injury in the event of an 
accident.<
BMW X5: push the head restraints of the 3rd 
row seats
* into the top position.
Head restraints, refer to page46.
Height
Adjust the head restraint so that its center is 
approximately at ear level.
Distance
Adjust the distance so that the head restraint is 
as close as possible to the back of the head.
Safety belts
Before every drive, make sure that safety belts 
are being worn at all of the occupied seats. Air-
bags complement the safety belt as an addi-
tional safety device, but they do not represent a 
substitute.
BMW X5: depending on its equipment, your 
vehicle has either five or seven seats, which are 
all provided with a safety belt.
Never allow more than one person to 
wear a single safety belt. Never allow 
infants or small children to ride in a passenger's 
lap. Make sure that the belt lies low around the 
hips in the lap area and does not press on the 
abdomen. The safety belt may not lie across the 
neck, rub on sharp edges, be routed over solid 
or breakable objects or be pinched. Wear the 
safety belt without twisting, snugly across the 
lap and shoulders, as close to the body as pos-
sible. Otherwise the belt can slip over the hips 
in the lap area in a frontal impact and injure the 
abdomen. Avoid wearing clothing that prevents 
the belt from fitting properly and pull the belt in 
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Transporting children safely
The right place for children
Do not leave children unattended in the 
vehicle, otherwise they could endanger 
themselves and other persons, e.g. by opening 
the doors.<
Children always in rear
Accident research shows that the safest place 
for children is on the rear seat.
Children younger than 13 years of age or 
with a height under 5 ft/150 cm may only 
be transported on the 2nd row seats in child 
restraint devices which correspond to the age, 
weight and height of the child. Otherwise there 
is an increased danger of injury in an accident.<
Children 13 years of age or older must wear a 
safety belt as soon as a suitable child restraint 
device can no longer be used due to their age, 
weight and size.
Exception for front passenger seat
Should it be necessary to use a child 
restraint device on the front passenger 
seat, the front and side airbags on the passen-
ger side must be deactivated. Otherwise, there 
is an increased risk of injury for the child if the 
airbags are triggered, even with a child restraint 
device.<
For more information on automatic deactivation 
of the front passenger airbags, refer to page98.
Installing child restraint 
devices
Follow the child restraint device manufac-
turer's instructions for selection, installa-
tion, and use of child restraint devices. Other-
wise, the degree of protection may be 
reduced.
*, make sure that the seat of the 2nd 
row seats on which the child restraint device is 
mounted is properly locked. Otherwise there is 
an increased risk of injury for the child in an 
accident.
Do not mount child restraint devices on the 
3rd row seats, as otherwise the protection pro-
vided by these child restraint devices may be 
reduced.<
BMW X5: before mounting a child restraint 
device in the center seat of the 2nd row seats, 
move the outer seat cushions and backrests 
into the rearmost positions.
On front passenger seat
After mounting a child restraint device on 
the front passenger seat, make sure that 
the front and side airbags on the front passen-
ger side are deactivated; otherwise, there is an 
increased risk of injury if the airbags are trig-
gered.<
Seat position
Before installing a child restraint device, move 
the passenger seat into the furthest back and 
highest
* position in order to achieve the best 
possible safety belt position. Do not change the 
seat position after this.
Backrest width*
The backrest width adjustment of the 
front passenger seat must be completely 
open. After installing the child's seat, no mem-
ory position may be called up; otherwise, the 
stability of the child's seat on the front passen-
ger seat is reduced.<
1.Open backrest width adjustment com-
pletely, refer to page45.
2.Install child's seat.
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Transporting children safely
56
Child seat security
The rear safety belts
>BMW X5: all safety belts of the 2nd and 
3rd
* row seats
>BMW X6: all safety belts of the 2nd row 
seats
and the safety belt for the front passenger can 
be locked to prevent extension in order to per-
mit attachment of child restraint devices.
Locking safety belt
1.Secure the child restraint device with the 
belt.
2.Pull out the belt webbing completely.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in and 
pull taut against the child restraint device. 
The safety belt is locked.
Unlocking safety belt
1.Open the belt buckle.
2.Remove the child restraint device.
3.Allow the belt webbing to be pulled in com-
pletely.
LATCH child restraint fixing 
system
LATCH: Lower Anchor and Tethers for CHil-
dren.
Follow the system manufacturer's 
instructions on installation and use of 
LATCH child restraint devices; otherwise, their 
protective function may be reduced.
system.
Make sure that the LATCH mounts have 
properly clicked into place and that the 
child restraint device is resting snugly against 
the backrest. Otherwise, the protective action 
may be reduced.<
The mounts for the LATCH anchors are located 
at the points indicated by the arrows.
Child restraint device with tether strap
Only use the top tether mounting points 
to secure child restraint devices, other-
wise the mounting points could be damaged.
Do not mount child restraint devices on the 
3rd row seats in the BMW X5; otherwise the 
protection provided by these child restraint 
devices may be reduced.<
BMW X5
There are three additional mounting points for 
child restraint devices with a tether strap on the 
2nd row seats, refer to arrows. Fold out before 
using the center mounting point.
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Transporting children safely
58
Attaching tether strap to the backrest 
of the 2nd row seats
BMW X5:
On outer seats:
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head 
restraint brackets.
3.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
On the center seat when equipped with two 
rows of seats:
1.Fold the center armrest somewhat toward 
the front.
2.Guide the tether strap through the opening 
in the center armrest.
3.Fold back and engage the center armrest.
4.Hook in tether strap on mounting point.
5.Pull tether strap taut.On the center seat when equipped with three 
rows of seats:
1.Slide the head restraint upward.
2.Guide the tether strap between the head 
restraint brackets.
3.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
4.Slide the head restraint into the bottom 
position.
5.Pull tether strap taut.
BMW X6:
1.Route tether strap over the middle of the 
head restraint.
2.Hook in the tether strap on the mounting 
point with the hook.
3.Pull tether strap taut until it compresses the 
cushion of the head restraint, thus prevent-
ing the tether strap from sliding off.
On trips
Child-safety locks for rear doors
Slide down the safety lever on the rear doors: 
the door can now be opened from the outside 
only.
Safety switch for power windows
Always press the safety switch for the power 
windows, refer to page38, when children are 
riding in the rear of the vehicle.
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Transmission position P will be engaged:
>automatically after approx. 30 minutes
>if you remove the remote control from the 
ignition lock
Parking brake
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with an electromechan-
ical parking brake.
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked.
You can use the parking brake in two ways:
>manually, by pulling and pushing the button
>automatically, by activating Automatic 
Hold, refer to page61
With the engine stopped, the parking brake acts 
on the rear wheels via an electromechanical 
system. When the engine is running, the park-
ing brake acts on the disk brakes of the front 
and rear wheels via the brake hydraulics.
Setting manually
Pull button. The parking brake is set.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up red. The parking brake is 
set.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
The remote control does not have to be 
inserted into the ignition lock for the parking 
brake to be set.
While driving
If exceptional circumstances should make it 
necessary to set the parking brake while the 
vehicle is in motion, pull on the button longer.
The vehicle continues to brake forcefully for as 
long as you pull on the button.
The indicator lamp in the instrument 
panel lights up red, a chime sounds and 
the brake lamps light up.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
As soon as you brake the vehicle almost to a 
stop, i.e., down to a speed of approx. 2 mph/
3 km/h or below, the parking brake remains set.
Releasing manually
Press the button with the brake depressed.
The indicator lamp  in the instrument 
panel goes out.
Indicator lamp on Canadian models.
When leaving the vehicle, always take 
along the remote control; this precaution 
prevents children from releasing the parking 
brake, for example.<
Automatic Hold
The concept
This function assists you as you drive by auto-
matically setting and releasing the parking 
brake, e.g. when you are stopped at a traffic sig-
nal or in stop-and-go traffic. 
When Automatic Hold is activated, the vehicle is 
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